Snowmobiling in Golden

Town of Golden

The Town of Golden embodies the best of the west with its charm and scenery. Remnants of early 1900s architecture and Swiss mountain guide settlement harmonize with the town’s shops and restaurants. Downtown is the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, North America’s longest free standing, timber frame bridge. In addition, there is Spirit Square, a venue for free concerts and farmers’ markets. Adventure activities are a Golden specialty. The BC Visitor Centre, 111 Golden Donald Upper Rd, north of Hwy 1, is open 9 am-4 pm. Call Tourism Golden, 1-800-622-4653, for more information.

Highlights – Summer

The Columbia Wetlands connect Golden with Invermere. At 15,070 hectares, this is one of North America’s longest and most biologically rich wetlands. Take an eco-tour or rent a boat. 1-888-244-7117.

Get fishing licenses at Service BC, 1-250-344-7550, and guided trips through The Golden Gillie, 1-250-344-1217.

Road cyclists ride the Golden Triangle: Golden-Radium-Lake Louise-Golden. Mountain bikers take Rotary Trails from town to over 100 km of routes at Mountain Shadows, Moonraker and CBT.

Mount 7 summit is accessible by road. This acclaimed paragliding destination is also great for sightseeing and downhill biking.

Guided raft trips on the Kicking Horse River range from mild to wild! The Middle and Lower Canyons are wild whitewater favourites. See raft companies at tourismgolden.com/rafting. Local operators also offer guided SUP and inflatable kayak tours.

Golden is close to six of Canada’s most stunning national parks, the highest concentration of national parks in the world.

Hire an ACMG-certified guide for mountaineering at Rogers Pass or Bugaboo National Park. New to climbing? Start with a learn-to-climb course at Dogtooth indoor climbing gym. 1-250-344-6444.

The town is a gateway to vast wilderness and dozens of backcountry accommodations. Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) 1-800-661-0252, operates wilderness lodges with modern amenities, accessible only by helicopter. Enjoy guided heli-hiking, zipline treks and North America’s longest via ferrata with a suspension bridge 600 m / 2,000 ft over the valley floor.

Highlights – Winter

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, 1-866-754-5425, is 13 km / 8 mi from town. Golden Eagle Express Gondola rises to an upper ridge and allows an exhilarating 1,260 m / 4,133 ft run to the bottom. Four other lifts include Stairway to Heaven quad that accesses Feuz Bowl, former heli-ski terrain. Adult lift tickets and the Banff/Lake Louise Powder Express Ski Bus, 1-877-565-9372, that includes a lift pass are both $100. Kids can enjoy the Pony family ski zone, a Learning Centre for lessons and camps, and a childcare facility. The Eagle’s Eye is Canada’s highest restaurant. The resort boasts The Tube Zone and on-site lodging.

Golden Museum & Archives interprets early days through exhibits on Swiss Guides, the first Sikh people, geographer David Thompson and Columbia River riverboats. 1-250-344-5169.

Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre promotes awareness and conservation. See nine resident wolves and take some great photos. Tours are offered year-round – the Walk with the Wolves photo tour is a favourite.

The World’s Largest Paddle is 26 km south of town, is proportionally correct, scaled up 13 times and stands over 60 feet. 1-888-244-7117.